Ritchie makes point for Robins

02 April 2011 06:00

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Matt Ritchie salvaged a point as Swindon battled to a 1-1 draw against Hartlepool.
But after recovering from conceding a bizarre goal, a point may not be enough for the Robins' diminishing hopes of avoiding relegation from League One.
Swindon's Phil Smith only learned a half hour before kick-off that he was playing after David Lucas was injured in the pre-match warm-up and the replacement keeper gifted Hartlepool an opening goal.
Smith safely fielded a corner but his attempt to launch an attack only saw him throw the ball to Pools defender Evan Horwood who side footed it into an empty net from 25 yards with Smith scrambling in vain to make his ground.
Hartlepool were reduced to 10 men after 55 minutes when Gary Liddle was shown a straight red card for a poor challenge on Paul Caddis, and Swindon took advantage when Caddis provided a tempting cross for Ritchie to bullet in a header from eight yards.
Swindon laid siege to the Hartlepool goal and almost snatched a winner when Alassane N'Diaye saw his shot scrambled off the line by Horwood.